Wilmington, NC News

Archive for August, 2009

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The field house for the New Hanover High School football team was deemed imminently dangerous in December of 2007, but players and coaches have continued to use it until recently.

Everything inside the field house was removed last week and Tuesday night the New Hanover County School Board will discuss its future.

The Jap Davis Field House is off limits to players and coaches; in fact everyone for that matter.

It sits empty now. The building used to be the afternoon haunt for Sonny Jurgenson, Roman Gabriel, Trot Nixon and another thousand New Hanover Wildcats.

The Davis Field House has an endless list of problems though, too many to name.

In summary, it’s been deemed unsafe.

Keith Moore is the Director of Athletics at New Hanover and he’s looking for a quick solution. “It seems like the one that might work the best for us is if we’re allowed to proceed with the renovations of the existing building, and if nothing else get the kids back onto the first floor where they can utilize the locker rooms, restrooms and shower facilities.”

The New Hanover High School football team will practice every morning until the new school year cranks up. For now the field house can only serve as their backdrop.

Some folks at New Hanover prefer tearing the building down and building a new one, but that process could take at least five years due to a required bond referendum.

The New Hanover County School Board meets tonight and may give New Hanover High School an answer. Keith Moore says time is a major concern, but the high school has a loyal and large alumni base that goes back 86 years.

He may be calling out for their support in the near future.

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The field house for the New Hanover High School football team was deemed imminently dangerous in December of 2007, but players and coaches have continued to use it until recently.

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With the pennant race quickly approaching, baseball fans throughout southeastern North Carolina are frustrated by the relationship between a major cable provider and two sports networks.

Time Warner Cable reached an agreement with one popular sports network, but continues to struggle with another. As a result, baseball fans in Wilmington are worried that means they won’t see their teams as the playoffs approach.

Time Warner Cable recently added the Yankees Entertainment and Sports or YES network, but you won’t see any Yankee games unless you have the Major League Baseball package.

“I believe that the YES network is forming a monopoly around the Yankee baseball system. I think it’s a total sell out to sports fans everywhere,” said Yankees fan Michael Keogh.

Even if you have that package, you won’t see home games involving Orioles or Nationals. Those teams are covered by the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, or MASN, which Time Warner Cable doesn’t carry at all.

“Not only if you’re a Baltimore fan or a Washington fan, but if you’re a fan of other teams, every time they play those other teams it’s blacked out,” said a frustrated Terry Baker.

Even though arbitrators have ruled Time Warner has to carry MASN, the cable company is still refusing to do so, and is appealing to the full F.C.C.

For restaurants like Surfs Bar and Grille, it means owners need Direct TV and Time Warner to provide the customers with the games they want.

“We got Boston fans, we got Yankee fans, we got fans from all over the country in Wilmington. It’s just an extra expense that you have to have because you want to make everyone feel at home when they come here,” said Henry Minutillo of Surfs.

While sport fans can stop by Surfs to catch all of the games, they’re worried that the extra cost for the cable networks could be passed on to them through the cost of their food and beverages.

Still, it’s a lot cheaper than a trip to the ballpark or having to buy a complete sports satellite or cable package.

A Time Warner Cable spokesperson says the Yankee games are blacked out on the YES network due to territorial restrictions.

Time Warner will not carry MASN because of a dispute over what subscriber package it should be included in.

A spokesperson for MASN says the black out is due to a competing sports station owned by Time Warner.

MASN is also the carrier for UNCW basketball games and East Carolina football.

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Time Warner Cable reached an agreement with one popular sports network, but continues to struggle with another. As a result, baseball fans in Wilmington are worried that means they won’t see their teams as the playoffs approach.